His invention was the Yankee schooner of fore-and-aft rig, and he gave to this type of vessel its name.

* Seaworthy, fast, and easily handled, adapted for use in the early eighteenth century when inland transportation was almost impossible, the schooner carried on trade between the colonies and was an important factor in the growth of the fisheries.
* It is said that as the odd two-master slid gracefully into the water, a spectator exclaimed: "See how she scoons!" "Aye," answered Captain Robinson, "a SCHOONER let her be!" This launching took place in 1718 or 1714.
Before the Revolution the first New England schooners were beating up to the Grand Bank of Newfoundland after cod and halibut.

They were of no more than fifty tons' burden, too small for their task but manned by fishermen of surpassing hardihood.

Marblehead was then the foremost fishing port with two hundred brigs and schooners on the offshore banks.
But to Gloucester belongs the glory of sending the first schooner to the Grand Bank.

* From these two rock-bound harbors went thousands of trained seamen to man the privateers and the ships of the Continental navy, slinging their hammocks on the gun-decks beside the whalemen of Nantucket.